Today we’d like to introduce you to Griffin Hansen.
Hi Griffin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am an animated film director from Goffstown, New Hampshire, who has always had an incredible love and passion for film and, specifically, animation! As a teenager, I used to interview people in the animation industry from my bedroom to help raise money for my friend’s cancer treatment. I was so fascinated by the inner workings of Hollywood and the animation industry that I knew it was what I wanted to do forever! I also work at a banquet hall (and still do!) as a banquet server and banquet manager, which definitely inspired this film!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making this film was really an incredibly smooth road, solely because the team I worked with was so professional, hardworking, and just fun! This film was practically all made remotely because of the pandemic and because our school, the Savannah College of Art and Design, was on summer break, so it was also so much fun to work with people from all over the country and the world!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I direct and write animated films, just like this one! I think that animation is such an amazing medium to explore all sorts of ideas and possibilities. A lot of people go into animation to make films about talking animals or something you couldn’t shoot in live-action, and while those are all valid reasons to make films, I have always wanted to make animated films that no one else would think to make. I’ve never seen an animated film about working at weddings, so I figured it’d be a good place to start! I also love making films about life in New Hampshire and helping people learn about the idiosyncrasies and in-jokes of our state. Being able to have New England celebrities like Ray Magliozzi and Fritz Wetherbee in this film give it just a little bit of local flavor that I love (and locals do, too!).
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why.
Like I mentioned, making unique and out-of-the-box films is, to me, very important. I hope that someone sees this film and is themself inspired to write the odd story they thought was too niche for anyone else to laugh it. I promise, there are jokes in there that someone will laugh at! I am also very involved in preserving and promoting the history and culture of animated film. I founded and head an organization called the Animation Education Association, which works with local communities to install historical markers across the country for important figures in the history of animation. Hopefully, the efforts of my group will inspire a new generation of artists to know that the next great artist can come from anywhere and that animation history is very rich and interesting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gruppetstudios.wixsite.com/thehansen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetencommandmentsofbs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Animeducassoc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffin-hansen/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Gruppetstudios?si=glaUAtUbHFQtlA2f
Image Credits
Michael Poliquin
Ray Magliozzi
Eva Daskos
